And that’s exactly what Glenna Sakisat Palacios Reyes did despite the odds and lack of resources.
Reyes, the newly appointed Legislative Bureau director and the wife of Senate President Pete P. Reyes, is the sixth in a brood of seven.
Her father passed away when she was 10, leaving all of them to the care of their mother, Mercedes Sakisat Palacios.
In 1990, Mrs. Reyes left the island to study at Oregon’s Lane Community College.
She supported her education working odd jobs, which included a stint at a chicken factory.
“I came from a very poor family. My father passed away when I was 10. My mother took the role of a father and a mother to us, and for that, we could never be lacking. She practically gave up everything for us,” she told Variety.
In 1995, however, heavy financial constraint took its toll on her life as a working student so she returned to Saipan still without her diploma.
“I had to withdraw from college and return home due to financial difficulty. I remember sobbing on a plane from Oregon bound for home. I also remember how, on the same flight, after crying my heart out, I promised myself that my lack of finances would only postpone, but never take away my aspiration of obtaining a business degree,” she recalled.
Within years after she returned to the island, she had a daughter, Isa Belle, now nine years old and eventually married Senator Reyes.
Domestic life and the controversies that come along with being the wife of a politician didn’t stop her from pursuing her college education dream.
“I’ve always been a dreamer,” she said.
She enrolled in the Argosy University’s online program for bachelor of science in business administration in Hawaii. The program is completed 80 percent online and 20 percent classroom appearance.
On Nov. 9, Reyes earned her degree and was one of only two graduates who delivered the graduation address.
“I am very honored to have been selected to address the graduating class. What is more rewarding for me is the fact that, someone, and it didn’t have to be me, but someone from the Northern Mariana Islands, was chosen. It goes to show that the people of the NMI are just as capable in competing and succeeding with our counterparts in any U.S. educational institutions,” she said.
“The message that I wanted to convey is that no matter how lacking we are with the resources and opportunities afforded to those fortunate ones, any one with a dream can achieve it. With one’s passion and conviction, along with hard work and perseverance, dreams are achievable,” she added.
With her family and friends, Mrs. Reyes celebrated her mother’s 65th birthday and her graduation on Saturday.
The Senate president said he’s proud of his wife and vowed to support her future dreams.
